Chelsea to move for Italian enforcer

Chelsea are plotting a January swoop for Roma midfielder Daniele De Rossi, according to reports from CalcioMercato.

The Blues were linked with the experienced Italian over the summer, amid rumours that he had grown unsettled at the Stadio Olimpico.

A deal failed to come to fruition, however Jose Mourinho is thought to have remained keen on the midfielder.

‘The Special One’ is believed to have made a striker his main target for the transfer window, but he is also keen to land a central player to boost his side’s tilt at the Premier League title.

De Rossi – Roma’s vice captain – is seen as the ideal candidate to add some authority to the Blues’ engine room due to his commanding presence.

Mourinho is also attracted to the 30-year-old’s experience, with the player holding over 90 international caps.

A potential stumbling block could be Roma’s eagerness to keep their talismanic midfielder, with the capital-based side firmly in the hunt for the Serie A title after an impressive start to the campaign.

De Rossi is a product of the Rome club’s academy set-up, and has made in excess of 300 outings in the red shirt.